Consensus N-glycosylation Sites Research Articles

Subcellular localization of core beta(1,2)-xylosylated N-glycoproteins in the green microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The green microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii synthesizes a N-glycan precursor within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that is then transferred to specific asparagine residues of the protein N-glycosylation consensus sites. Maturation of this precursor in the ER and then in the Golgi apparatus results in N-glycans composed of a non-canonical linear Man5GlcNAc2 that is partially O-methylated and carries out one or two xylose residues. One xylose residue was demonstrated to be a core beta(1,2)-xylose. Recently, two xylosyltransferases, named A (XTA) and B (XTB) respectively, were demonstrated to be responsible for the addition of this core beta(1,2)-xylose. Nowadays, even if information is available regarding the protein N-glycosylation pathway and especially the core beta(1,2)-xylosylation in C. reinhardtii, no data regarding the subcellular localization of this subset of glycosylated proteins is available. Therefore, in this work, subcellular immunolocalization of N-glycoproteins bearing the core beta(1,2)-xylose epitope was carried out using an optimized protocol of transmission electron microscopy of CC-5325 and CC-5155 reference strains (wild types) compared to the MXTAxIMXTB double insertional mutant strain in which the core beta(1,2)-xylosylation is fully-lacking. Such a study gives a first cartography of specific glycoepitopes in microalgae and new insights on the distribution of core beta(1,2)-xylosylated glycoproteins in C. reinhardtii organelles.

Native SEC and Reversed-Phase LC-MS Reveal Impact of Fab Glycosylation of Anti-SARS-COV-2 Antibodies on Binding to the Receptor Binding Domain.

The binding affinity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for their intended therapeutic targets is often affected by chemical and post-translational modifications in the antigen binding (Fab) domains. A new two-dimensional analytical approach is described here utilizing native size exclusion chromatography (SEC) to separate populations of antibodies and bound antibody-antigen complexes for subsequent characterization of these modifications by reversed-phase (RP) liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) at the intact antibody level. Previously, we utilized peptide mapping to measure modifications impacting binding. However, in this study, the large size of the modification (N-glycosylation) allowed assessing its impact from small amounts (∼20 ug) of intact antibody, without the need for peptide mapping. Here, we apply the native SEC-based competitive binding assay to quickly and qualitatively investigate the effects of Fab glycosylation of four antispike protein mAbs that were developed for use in the treatment of COVID-19 disease. Three of the mAbs were observed to have consensus N-glycosylation sites (N-X-T/S) in the Fab domains, a relatively rare occurrence in therapeutic mAbs. The goal of the study was to characterize the levels of Fab glycosylation present, as well as determine the impact of glycosylation on binding to the spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) and the ability of the mAbs to inhibit RBD-ACE2 interaction at the intact antibody level, with minimal sample treatment and preparation. The three mAbs with Fab N-glycans were found to have glycosylation profiles ranging from full occupancy at each Fab (in one mAb) to partially glycosylated with mixed populations of two, one, or no glycan moieties. Competitive SEC analysis of mAb-RBD revealed that the glycosylated antibody populations outcompete their nonglycosylated counterparts for the available RBD molecules. This competitive SEC binding analysis was applied to investigate the three-body interaction of a glycosylated mAb blocking the interaction between endogenous binding partners RBD-ACE2, finding that both glycosylated and nonglycosylated mAb populations bound to RBD with high enough affinity to block RBD-ACE2 binding.

Microalgae as an Efficient Vehicle for the Production and Targeted Delivery of Therapeutic Glycoproteins against SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect various human organs, including the respiratory, circulatory, nervous, and gastrointestinal ones. The virus is internalized into human cells by binding to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor through its spike protein (S-glycoprotein). As S-glycoprotein is required for the attachment and entry into the human target cells, it is the primary mediator of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. Currently, this glycoprotein has received considerable attention as a key component for the development of antiviral vaccines or biologics against SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, since the ACE2 receptor constitutes the main entry route for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, its soluble form could be considered as a promising approach for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 infection (COVID-19). Both S-glycoprotein and ACE2 are highly glycosylated molecules containing 22 and 7 consensus N-glycosylation sites, respectively. The N-glycan structures attached to these specific sites are required for the folding, conformation, recycling, and biological activity of both glycoproteins. Thus far, recombinant S-glycoprotein and ACE2 have been produced primarily in mammalian cells, which is an expensive process. Therefore, benefiting from a cheaper cell-based biofactory would be a good value added to the development of cost-effective recombinant vaccines and biopharmaceuticals directed against COVID-19. To this end, efficient protein synthesis machinery and the ability to properly impose post-translational modifications make microalgae an eco-friendly platform for the production of pharmaceutical glycoproteins. Notably, several microalgae (e.g., Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Dunaliella bardawil, and Chlorella species) are already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe human food. Because microalgal cells contain a rigid cell wall that could act as a natural encapsulation to protect the recombinant proteins from the aggressive environment of the stomach, this feature could be used for the rapid production and edible targeted delivery of S-glycoprotein and soluble ACE2 for the treatment/inhibition of SARS-CoV-2. Herein, we have reviewed the pathogenesis mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 and then highlighted the potential of microalgae for the treatment/inhibition of COVID-19 infection.

Investigation of the N-Glycosylation of the SARS-CoV-2 S Protein Contained in VLPs Produced in Nicotiana benthamiana.

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic in China in late 2019 led to the fast development of efficient therapeutics. Of the major structural proteins encoded by the SARS-CoV-2 genome, the SPIKE (S) protein has attracted considerable research interest because of the central role it plays in virus entry into host cells. Therefore, to date, most immunization strategies aim at inducing neutralizing antibodies against the surface viral S protein. The SARS-CoV-2 S protein is heavily glycosylated with 22 predicted N-glycosylation consensus sites as well as numerous mucin-type O-glycosylation sites. As a consequence, O- and N-glycosylations of this viral protein have received particular attention. Glycans N-linked to the S protein are mainly exposed at the surface and form a shield-masking specific epitope to escape the virus antigenic recognition. In this work, the N-glycosylation status of the S protein within virus-like particles (VLPs) produced in Nicotiana benthamiana (N. benthamiana) was investigated using a glycoproteomic approach. We show that 20 among the 22 predicted N-glycosylation sites are dominated by complex plant N-glycans and one carries oligomannoses. This suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 S protein produced in N. benthamiana adopts an overall 3D structure similar to that of recombinant homologues produced in mammalian cells.

N-glycosylation of the human neuropeptide QRFP receptor (QRFPR) is essential for ligand binding and receptor activation.

The newly identified pyroglutamylated RFamide peptide (QRFP) signaling system has been shown to be implicated in regulating a variety of physiological processes. G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are preferentially N-glycosylated on extracellular domains. The human QRFP receptor QRFPR (GPR103) possesses three N-glycosylation consensus sites, two located on the N-terminal domain (N5 and N19) and one on the first extracellular loop (ECL1) (N106); however, to date, their role in QRFPR expression and signaling has not been established. Here, we combined mutants with glutamine substitution of the critical asparagines of the consensus sites with glycosidase PNGase F and N-glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin to study the effect of N-glycosylation in the regulation of QRFPR cell surface expression and signaling. Western blot analysis performed with site-directed mutagenesis revealed that two asparagines at N19 in the N-terminus and N106 in ECL1, but not N5 in the N-terminus, served as sites for N-glycosylation. Treatment with PNGase F and tunicamycin resulted in a reduction in both two-protein species, ~43kDa and ~85kDa in size, by 2-4kDa. Analysis with confocal microscopy and quantitative ELISA showed that N-glycosylation of QRFPR is not essentially required for targeting the cell membrane. However, further binding assay and functional assays demonstrated that removal of N-glycosylation sequons or treatment with tunicamycin led to significant impairments in the interaction of receptor with QRFP26 and downstream signaling. Thus, our findings suggest that for the human QRFP receptor (QRFPR), N-glycosylation is not important for cell surface expression but is a pre-requisite for ligand binding and receptor activation.

N-Glycans on EGF domain-specific O-GlcNAc transferase (EOGT) facilitate EOGT maturation and peripheral endoplasmic reticulum localization

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) domain-specific O-GlcNAc transferase (EOGT) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident protein that modifies EGF repeats of Notch receptors and thereby regulates Delta-like ligand-mediated Notch signaling. Several EOGT mutations that may affect putative N-glycosylation consensus sites are recorded in the cancer database, but the presence and function of N-glycans in EOGT have not yet been characterized. Here, we identified N-glycosylation sites in mouse EOGT and elucidated their molecular functions. Three predicted N-glycosylation consensus sequences on EOGT are highly conserved among mammalian species. Within these sites, we found that Asn-263 and Asn-354, but not Asn-493, are modified with N-glycans. Lectin blotting, endoglycosidase H digestion, and MS analysis revealed that both residues are modified with oligomannose N-glycans. Loss of an individual N-glycan on EOGT did not affect its endoplasmic reticulum (ER) localization, enzyme activity, and ability to O-GlcNAcylate Notch1 in HEK293T cells. However, simultaneous substitution of both N-glycosylation sites affected both EOGT maturation and expression levels without an apparent change in enzymatic activity, suggesting that N-glycosylation at a single site is sufficient for EOGT maturation and expression. Accordingly, a decrease in O-GlcNAc stoichiometry was observed in Notch1 co-expressed with an N263Q/N354Q variant compared with WT EOGT. Moreover, the N263Q/N354Q variant exhibited altered subcellular distribution within the ER in HEK293T cells, indicating that N-glycosylation of EOGT is required for its ER localization at the cell periphery. These results suggest critical roles of N-glycans in sustaining O-GlcNAc transferase function both by maintaining EOGT levels and by ensuring its proper subcellular localization in the ER.

Retinal Degeneration Caused by Rod-Specific Dhdds Ablation Occurs without Concomitant Inhibition of Protein N-Glycosylation.

SummaryDehydrodolichyl diphosphate synthase (DHDDS) catalyzes the committed step in dolichol synthesis. Recessive mutations in DHDDS cause retinitis pigmentosa (RP59), resulting in blindness. We hypothesized that rod photoreceptor-specific ablation of Dhdds would cause retinal degeneration due to diminished dolichol-dependent protein N-glycosylation. Dhddsflx/flx mice were crossed with rod-specific Cre recombinase-expressing (Rho-iCre75) mice to generate rod-specific Dhdds knockout mice (Dhddsflx/flx iCre+). In vivo morphological and electrophysiological evaluation of Dhddsflx/flx iCre+ retinas revealed mild retinal dysfunction at postnatal (PN) 4 weeks, compared with age-matched controls; however, rapid photoreceptor degeneration ensued, resulting in almost complete loss of rods and cones by PN 6 weeks. Retina dolichol levels were markedly decreased by PN 4 weeks in Dhddsflx/flx iCre+ mice, relative to controls; despite this, N-glycosylation of retinal proteins, including opsin (the dominant rod-specific glycoprotein), persisted in Dhddsflx/flx iCre+ mice. These findings challenge the conventional mechanistic view of RP59 as a congenital disorder of glycosylation.

TIM barrel fold and glycan moieties in the structure of ICChI, a protein with chitinase and lysozyme activity

The ICChI is a 35-kDa, glycosylated protein isolated from the latex of the weed Ipomoea carnea. It displays chitinase and lysozyme activity, which could be important for the defense against pathogenic fungi, insects and bacteria. The ICChI enzyme was crystallized, and a diffraction data set was collected from a single crystal to 1.42 Å resolution. The crystals belong to the primitive tetragonal space group P43212, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 57.9, c = 172.0 Å, and α = β = γ = 90°. The structure was elucidated by molecular replacement method using a mixed model of three homologous structures from the N-terminal sequence of ICChI. The refined model consists of 272 amino acid residues and has a Rfactor of 18.93% and Rfree of 22.42%. The protein consists of a single globular domain with a (α/β)8 triosephosphate isomerase barrel fold. Three of the consensus sites for N-glycosylation viz., Asn45, Asn172, and Asn194 containing carbohydrate moieties N-Acetylglucosamine (NAG), mannose, fucose, and xylose. The putative catalytic residues are Asp125, Glu127, and Tyr184. The crystal structure may provide fundamental information of GH18 family chitinases.

Influences of N-linked glycosylation on the biochemical properties of aspartic protease from Aspergillus glaucus MA0196

Abstract Aspergillus glaucus MA0196 produces a highly glycosylated aspartic protease (PepA_MA0196) that shows hydrolytic and decolorization activities toward hemoglobin. Sequence analysis of PepA_MA0196 indicated two potential N-glycosylation consensus sites, at Asn131 and Asn275. To elucidate the role of N-glycosylation in the biochemical properties of PepA_MA0196 and the resulting effects, recombinant PepA_MA0196 and three mutant proteases deglycosylated via site-direct mutagenesis were heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris. After hydrolysis of the enzymes by PNGase F or Endo H, the molecular masses on SDS-PAGE of the enzymatically deglycosylated wild-type PepA_MA0196 and recombinant and single-mutant proteases were identical to that of the double-mutant protease (42.2 kDa). PepA_MA0196 and its recombinant were stable over a broader pH range and more thermostable than the deglycosylated mutant proteases, especially the double-mutant protease. In addition, PepA_MA0196 retained a higher activity at low water activity than did the double-mutant protease. The commercial applications of the glycosylated protease from strain MA0196 include hydrolysis of the heme proteins in dried tuna meat under low water content. Hemoprotein lysis is also a property of interest to the meat processing and detergent industries.

Molecular mechanisms of missense mutations that generate ectopic N-glycosylation sites in coagulation factor VIII.

N-glycosylation is a common posttranslational modification of secreted and membrane proteins, catalyzed by the two enzymatic isoforms of the oligosaccharyltransferase, STT3A and STT3B. Missense mutations are the most common mutations in inherited diseases; however, missense mutations that generate extra, non-native N-glycosylation sites have not been well characterized. Coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) contains five consensus N-glycosylation sites outside its functionally dispensable B domain. We developed a computer program that identified hemophilia A mutations in FVIII that can potentially create ectopic glycosylation sites. We determined that 18 of these ectopic sites indeed become N-glycosylated. These sites span the domains of FVIII and are primarily associated with a severe disease phenotype. Using STT3A and STT3B knockout cells, we determined that ectopic glycosylation exhibited different degrees of dependence on STT3A and STT3B. By separating the effects of ectopic N-glycosylation from those due to underlying amino acid changes, we showed that ectopic glycans promote the secretion of some mutants, but impair the secretion of others. However, ectopic glycans that enhanced secretion could not functionally replace a native N-glycan in the same domain. Secretion-deficient mutants, but not mutants with elevated secretion levels, show increased association with the endoplasmic reticulum chaperones BiP (immunoglobulin heavy chain-binding protein) and calreticulin. Though secreted to different extents, all studied mutants exhibited lower relative activity than wild-type FVIII. Our results reveal differential impacts of ectopic N-glycosylation on FVIII folding, trafficking and activity, which highlight complex disease-causing mechanisms of FVIII missense mutations. Our findings are relevant to other secreted and membrane proteins with mutations that generate ectopic N-glycans.

N-linked glycans are required on epithelial Na+ channel subunits for maturation and surface expression.

Epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) subunits undergo N-linked glycosylation in the endoplasmic reticulum where they assemble into an αβγ complex. Six, 13, and 5 consensus sites (Asn-X-Ser/Thr) for N-glycosylation reside in the extracellular domains of the mouse α-, β-, and γ-subunits, respectively. Because the importance of ENaC N-linked glycans has not been fully addressed, we examined the effect of preventing N-glycosylation of specific subunits on channel function, expression, maturation, and folding. Heterologous expression in Xenopus oocytes or Fischer rat thyroid cells with αβγ-ENaC lacking N-linked glycans on a single subunit reduced ENaC activity as well as the inhibitory response to extracellular Na+. The lack of N-linked glycans on the β-subunit also precluded channel activation by trypsin. However, channel activation by shear stress was N-linked glycan independent, regardless of which subunit was modified. We also discovered that the lack of N-linked glycans on any one subunit reduced the total and surface levels of cognate subunits. The lack of N-linked glycans on the β-subunit had the largest effect on total levels, with the lack of N-linked glycans on the γ- and α-subunits having intermediate and modest effects, respectively. Finally, channels with wild-type β-subunits were more sensitive to limited trypsin proteolysis than channels lacking N-linked glycans on the β-subunit. Our results indicate that N-linked glycans on each subunit are required for proper folding, maturation, surface expression, and function of the channel.

N-glycan structures and downstream mannose-phosphorylation of plant recombinant human alpha-L-iduronidase: toward development of enzyme replacement therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis I.

Arabidopsis N-glycan processing mutants provide the basis for tailoring recombinant enzymes for use as replacement therapeutics to treat lysosomal storage diseases, including N-glycan mannose phosphorylation to ensure lysosomal trafficking and efficacy. Functional recombinant human alpha-L-iduronidase (IDUA; EC 3.2.1.76) enzymes were generated in seeds of the Arabidopsis thaliana complex-glycan-deficient (cgl) C5 background, which is deficient in the activity of N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase I, and in seeds of the Arabidopsis gm1 mutant, which lacks Golgi α-mannosidase I (GM1) activity. Both strategies effectively prevented N-glycan maturation and the resultant N-glycan structures on the consensus sites for N-glycosylation of the human enzyme revealed high-mannose N-glycans of predominantly Man5 (cgl-IDUA) or Man6-8 (gm1-IDUA) structures. Both forms of IDUA were equivalent with respect to their kinetic parameters characterized by cleavage of the artificial substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl-iduronide. Because recombinant lysosomal enzymes produced in plants require the addition of mannose-6-phosphate (M6P) in order to be suitable for lysosomal delivery in human cells, we characterized the two IDUA proteins for their amenability to downstream in vitro mannose phosphorylation mediated by a soluble form of the human phosphotransferase (UDP-GlcNAc: lysosomal enzyme N-acetylglucosamine [GlcNAc]-1-phosphotransferase). Gm1-IDUA exhibited a slight advantage over the cgl-IDUA in the in vitro M6P-tagging process, with respect to having a better affinity (i.e. lower K m) for the soluble phosphotransferase. This may be due to the greater number of mannose residues comprising the high-mannose N-glycans of gm1-IDUA. Our elite cgl- line produces IDUA at > 5.7% TSP (total soluble protein); screening of the gm1 lines showed a maximum yield of 1.5% TSP. Overall our findings demonstrate the relative advantages and disadvantages associated with the two platforms to create enzyme replacement therapeutics for lysosomal storage diseases.

N-glycan content modulates kainate receptor functional properties.

Ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) subunits are N-glycosylated at 4-12 sites, and Golgi processing produces mature receptors that contain high-mannose, hybrid and complex oligosaccharides. N-glycosylation is crucial for receptor biogenesis, influences receptor trafficking and provides a binding site for carbohydrate binding proteins. Glycan moieties are large, polar and occasionally charged, and they are attached at sites along iGluRs that position them for involvement in the structural changes underlying gating. Altering glycan content on kainate receptors (KARs), a subfamily of iGluRs, changes functional properties of the receptor, such as desensitization, recovery from desensitization and deactivation. We report the first observation that the charged trisaccharide HNK-1 is conjugated to native KARs, and we find that it substantially alters recombinant KAR functional properties. Our results show that the molecular composition of N-glycans can influence KAR biophysical properties, revealing a potential mechanism for fine-tuning the function of these receptors. Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) are tetrameric proteins with between four and 12 consensus sites for N-glycosylation on each subunit, which potentially allows for a high degree of structural diversity conferred by this post-translational modification. N-glycosylation is required for proper folding of iGluRs in mammalian cells, although the impact of oligosaccharides on the function of successfully folded receptors is less clear. Glycan moieties are large, polar, occasionally charged and mediate many protein-protein interactions throughout the nervous system. Additionally, they are attached at sites along iGluR subunits that position them for involvement in the structural changes underlying gating. In the present study, we show that altering glycan content on kainate receptors (KARs) changes the functional properties of the receptors in a manner dependent on the identity of both the modified sugars and the subunit composition of the receptor to which they are attached. We also report that native KARs carry the complex capping oligosaccharide human natural killer-1. Glycosylation patterns probably differ between cell types, across development or with pathologies, and thus our findings reveal a potential mechanism for context-specific fine-tuning of KAR function through diversity in glycan structure.

Characterization of post-translational modifications in full-length human BMP-1 confirms the presence of a rare vicinal disulfide linkage in the catalytic domain and highlights novel features of the EGF domain

Bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP-1) is an essential metalloproteinase to trigger extracellular matrix assembly and organogenesis. Previous structural studies on the refolded catalytic domain of BMP-1 produced in E. coli have suggested the existence of a rare vicinal disulfide linkage near the active site. To confirm that this was not an artifact of the refolding procedure, the full-length human BMP-1 produced in mammalian cells was investigated via sequence-dependent enzyme cleavage under native conditions followed by high mass accuracy and high resolution LC-MS/MS analysis to interrogate the post-translational modifications. Ten disulfide linkages of BMP-1, including the vicinal disulfide linkage C185-C186 could be unambiguously identified. Further, around 50% of this vicinal disulfide bond was found to be modified by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), a cysteine protease inhibitor supplied when the BMP-1-containing medium was collected, suggesting that this bond was highly unstable. In the absence of NEM, BMP-1 has a higher tendency to form aggregates, but after aggregate removal, C185 and C186 are almost quantitatively engaged in the vicinal disulfide bond and BMP-1 activity remains unchanged. In addition, three consensus N-glycosylation sites at N142, N363, and N599 could be identified together with a previously unknown O-glycosylation site and an Asn-hydroxylation. SignificanceAn in-depth characterization of post-translational modifications of the full-length human BMP-1 produced in mammalian cells by MS was performed. A rare vicinal disulfide bond in the catalytic domain could be confirmed for the first time by mass spectrometry along with nine other proposed disulfide linkages of mature BMP-1. This vicinal disulfide bond can transiently open to form covalent adducts with the cysteine protease inhibitor (NEM) supplied in cell medium during protein harvesting. Further, we report a previously unknown O-glycosylation site and Asn–hydroxylation site, indicating a novel feature of BMP-1 in the EGF domain. The study clearly outlines the benefit of in-depth characterization of overexpressed proteins to deduce important protein modifications.

Interplay between Disulfide Bonding and N-Glycosylation Defines SLC4 Na+-coupled Transporter Extracellular Topography

The extracellular loop 3 (EL-3) of SLC4 Na(+)-coupled transporters contains 4 highly conserved cysteines and multiple N-glycosylation consensus sites. In the electrogenic Na(+)-HCO3(-) cotransporter NBCe1-A, EL-3 is the largest extracellular loop and is predicted to consist of 82 amino acids. To determine the structural-functional importance of the conserved cysteines and the N-glycosylation sites in NBCe1-A EL-3, we analyzed the potential interplay between EL-3 disulfide bonding and N-glycosylation and their roles in EL-3 topological folding. Our results demonstrate that the 4 highly conserved cysteines form two intramolecular disulfide bonds, Cys(583)-Cys(585) and Cys(617)-Cys(642), respectively, that constrain EL-3 in a folded conformation. The formation of the second disulfide bond is spontaneous and unaffected by the N-glycosylation state of EL-3 or the first disulfide bond, whereas formation of the first disulfide bond relies on the presence of the second disulfide bond and is affected by N-glycosylation. Importantly, EL-3 from each monomer is adjacently located at the NBCe1-A dimeric interface. When the two disulfide bonds are missing, EL-3 adopts an extended conformation highly accessible to protease digestion. This unique adjacent parallel location of two symmetrically folded EL-3 loops from each monomer resembles a domain-like structure that is potentially important for NBCe1-A function in vivo. Moreover, the formation of this unique structure is critically dependent on the finely tuned interplay between disulfide bonding and N-glycosylation in the membrane processed NBCe1-A dimer.

Interaction of Bordetella adenylate cyclase toxin with complement receptor 3 involves multivalent glycan binding

The interaction of Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase toxin (CyaA) with complement receptor 3 (CR3, CD11b/CD18) involves N-linked oligosaccharide chains. To investigate the relative importance of the individual N-glycans of CR3 for toxin activity, the asparagine residues of the consensus N-glycosylation sites of CR3 were substituted with glutamine residues that cannot be glycosylated. Examination of CR3 mutant variants and mass spectrometry analysis of the N-glycosylation pattern of CR3 revealed that N-glycans located in the C-terminal part of the CD11b subunit are involved in binding and cytotoxic activity of CyaA. We suggest that these N-glycans form a defined clustered saccharide patch that enables multivalent contact of CR3 with CyaA, enhancing both affinity and specificity of the integrin–toxin interaction.

Structural and biochemical characterisation of VaF1, a P-IIIa fibrinogenolytic metalloproteinase from Vipera ammodytes ammodytes venom.

A high molecular mass metalloproteinase with α-fibrinogenolytic activity, termed VaF1, was purified from nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes ammodytes) venom. Subcutaneous injection of 9 μg of VaF1 did not induce bleeding in rats. Nevertheless, in vitro it degraded collagen IV, nidogen and fibronectin, components of the extracellular matrix, although with low efficacy and narrow specificity. VaF1 would be expected to exert anti-coagulant action, due to its hydrolysis of fibrinogen, factor X, prothrombin and plasminogen, plasma proteins involved in blood coagulation. The enzyme is a single-chain glycoprotein with a molecular mass of 49.7 kDa, as determined by mass spectrometry, and multiple isoelectric points centred at pH 5.8. The complete amino acid sequence of the precursor of VaF1 was deduced by cloning and sequencing its cDNA. Composed of metalloproteinase, disintegrin-like and cysteine-rich domains, VaF1 is a typical P-IIIa subclass snake venom metalloproteinase. Although it possesses a collagen-binding sequence in its disintegrin-like domain, VaF1 displayed no effect on collagen-induced platelet aggregation in vitro. Two consensus N-glycosylation sites are present in the sequence of VaF1, however, the extent of its glycosylation is low, only 5.2% of the total molecular mass. Interestingly, in standard experimental conditions VaF1 is not recognised by antiserum against the whole venom, so it can contribute to post-serotherapy complications, such as ineffective blood coagulation, in the envenomed patient.

Clearance and Genetic Variability of Von Willebrand Factor Are Major Determinants of the Pharmacokinetic Behavior of Factor VIII Concentrates in the Treatment of Pediatric Hemophilia A

▪Background: Although Factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates are now routinely used for the prophylactic treatment of hemophilia A (HA), the optimal doses and intervals between administrations are difficult to predict because of variable pharmacokinetics of FVIII (FVIII-PK) between patients. Previous studies in HA have revealed a close relationship between FVIII-PK and the FVIII carrier protein, von Willebrand factor (VWF). A large genome-wide association study from the CHARGE consortium highlighted several novel loci associated with plasma levels of VWF and FVIII in normal subjects, and the five genetic loci associated with FVIII levels coincided with those influencing VWF levels (Smith, 2010).Objective: To investigate the effects of VWF synthesis, clearance and genetic variability on FVIII-PK in young HA patients. We hypothesized that 1) plasma VWF:Ag levels (VWF secretion and clearance), 2) polymorphic variants within the FVIII binding region of VWF, and 3) the glycosylation pattern of VWF (N-linked and ABO blood group antigen) would influence FVIII-PK.Methods: HA males recruited at two large academic pediatric hemophilia centers (The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and the Medical University of Vienna) were enrolled. Blood was collected at 5 time points (pre, post FVIII-infusion: 1, 9, 24, and 48 h), and FVIII-PK parameters, clearance (CL), volume of distribution (VD) and half-life (HL), were calculated based on a Bayesian model. Plasma levels of VWF (VWF:Ag), VWF propeptide (VWFpp) and FVIII binding ability of VWF (VWF:FVIIIB) were also evaluated. Genetic analysis of the FVIII-binding region and glycosylation sites of VWF was performed.Results: Samples from 33 boys [median age 10.9 years (range 6.5-17.9)] with severe HA were evaluated. Median values of FVIII-CL, VD and HL were 0.032 dl/h/kg (range 0.018-0.062), 0.47 dl/kg (0.29-0.78), and 10.2 h (6.7-16.8), respectively. VWF:Ag, VWFpp, VWFpp/VWF:Ag ratio and VWF:FVIIIB were 86.6 IU/dl (39.9-141.6), 88.2 U/dl (43.5-156.6), 1.09 (0.33-1.71) and 70.3% (41.2-101.9), respectively. FVIII-CL (r=-0.41, p<0.05) and HL (r=0.56, p<0.001) correlated with VWF:Ag. Interestingly, while VWFpp levels did not correlate with FVIII-HL, the VWFpp/VWF:Ag ratio (a measure of VWF clearance) was negatively correlated (r=-0.47, p<0.01), suggesting that plasma VWF:Ag, especially its rate of clearance, can significantly influence FVIII-HL. Comparing the patients with the longest (13.3-16.8 h, n=8) and shortest (6.7-9.4 h, n=8) FVIII-HLs, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed for VWF:Ag and VWFpp/VWF:Ag ratio, but not for age, VWFpp, and VWF:FVIIIB. Sequencing of the VWF D’D3 region associated with FVIII-binding identified 9 SNPs (5 non-synonymous and 4 synonymous) in exons 17-21 and 24-27. Two SNPs in exon 18 (rs1063856: c.2365A>G, Thr789Ala, and rs1063857: c.2385T>C, Tyr795=) previously identified in the CHARGE study, segregated as a haplotype. In the longest FVIII-HL group there was a 43.8% prevalence of the infrequent alleles and two patients in this group were homozygous for these alleles. In contrast, the shortest FVIII-HL group had no homozygous subjects and only a 12.5% prevalence of the infrequent haplotype. Since c.2365A>C (Thr789Pro) has been reported as a type 2N VWD variant, we studied the VWF:FVIIIB properties of the Thr789Ala variant. The two patients homozygous for the Thr789Ala showed VWF:FVIIIB levels of 85.8% and 85.5% of normal in their plasmas. Recombinant Thr789Ala and Thr789Pro variants derived from 293T cells showed lower (p<0.01) VWF:FVIIIB levels of 67% and <20%, respectively, when compared to recombinant wild-type VWF. This data indicates that the VWF SNP haplotype, rs1063856/rs1063857, appears to be associated with a longer FVIII-HL without increasing FVIII-binding ability. As ABO blood group is associated with VWF glycosylation and its subsequent clearance we analyzed the distribution of blood groups in the patients with the longest and shortest FVIII-HL and found that there were no blood group O patients in the longest FVIII-HL group while 63% of patients in the shortest FVIII-HL group were blood group O (p<0.05). Sequencing of consensus N-glycosylation sites in VWF showed no variants.Conclusion: In this pediatric HA population, FVIII-PK was significantly influenced by VWF:Ag, rate of VWF clearance and blood group, and a VWF SNP haplotype in the FVIII binding region might also modify FVIII-PK. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Site-specific N-glycosylation analysis of human factor XI: Identification of a noncanonical NXC glycosite.

Human factor XI (hFXI) is a 160-kDa disulphide-linked homodimer zymogen involved in the coagulation cascade. Its deficiency results in bleeding diathesis referred to as hemophilia C. hFXI bears five N-glycosylation consensus sites per monomer, N72 , N108 , N335 on the heavy chain and N432 , N473 on the light chain. This study reports the first in-depth glycosylation analysis of hFXI based on advanced MS approaches. Hydrophilic interaction LC and MS characterization and quantification of the N-glycans showed that the two major forms are complex biantennary mono-α2,6-sialylated (A2 S1 , 20%) and bis-α2,6-sialylated structures (A2 S2 , 66%). Minor triantennary structures (A3 S3 F, ∼1.5%; A3 S3 , ∼2%) were also identified. MS analyses of intact hFXI revealed full occupation of two of the three heavy-chain glycosites and almost full-site occupancy of the light chain. Analysis of hFXI glycopeptides by LC-MS/MS enabled site-specific glycan profiling and occupancy. It was evidenced that N335 was not glycosylated and that N72 and N108 were fully occupied, whereas N432 and N473 were occupied at about 92 and 95%, respectively. We also identified a new glycosite of the noncanonical format NXC at N145 , occupied at around 5%. These data provide valuable structural information useful to understand the potential roles of N-glycosylation on hFXI function and could serve as a structural reference.

Specific Contactin N-Glycans Are Implicated in Neurofascin Binding and Autoimmune Targeting in Peripheral Neuropathies

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) play a crucial role in the formation of the nodes of Ranvier and in the rapid propagation of the nerve impulses along myelinated axons. These CAMs are the targets of autoimmunity in inflammatory neuropathies. We recently showed that a subgroup of patients with aggressive chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) shows autoantibodies to contactin (1). The complex of contactin·Caspr·neurofascin-155 (NF155) enables the formation of paranodal junctions, suggesting that antibody attack against paranodes may participate in the severity of CIDP. In the present study, we mapped the molecular determinants of contactin targeted by the autoantibodies. In three patients, immunoreactivity was directed against the Ig domains of contactin and was dependent on N-glycans. The serum of one patient was selectively directed against contactin bearing mannose-rich N-glycans. Strikingly, the oligomannose type sugars of contactin are required for association with its glial partner NF155 (2). To investigate precisely the role of contactin N-glycans, we have mutated each of the nine consensus N-glycosylation sites independently. We found that the mutation of three sites (N467Q/N473Q/N494Q) in Ig domain 5 of contactin prevented soluble NF155-Fc binding. In contrast, these mutations did not abolish cis-association with Caspr. Next, we showed that the cluster of N-glycosylation sites (Asn-467, Asn-473, and Asn-494) was required for immunoreactivity in one patient. Using cell aggregation assays, we showed that the IgGs from the four CIDP patients prevented adhesive interaction between contactin·Caspr and NF155. Importantly, we showed that the anti-contactin autoantibodies induced alteration of paranodal junctions in myelinated neuronal culture. These results strongly suggest that antibodies to CAMs may be pathogenic and induce demyelination via functional blocking activity.